Multiple time-scale approach for a system of Brownian particles in a non-uniform temperature field

8 pages, 2 figures.-- PACS numbers: 05.45.-a, 05.10.Gg.-- arXiv pre-print: http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0610069.-- Final full-text version of the paper available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.75.021101.The Smoluchowski equation for a system of interacting Brownian particles in a temperature gradient is derived from the Kramers equation by means of a multiple time-scale method. The interparticle interactions are assumed to be represented by a mean-field description. We present numerical results that compare well with the theoretical prediction together with an extensive discussion on the prescription of the Langevin equation in overdamped systems.C.L. acknowledges financial support from MEC (Spain) and FEDER through project CONOCE2 (FIS2004-00953) and from the bilateral project Spain-Italy HI2004-0144. He also acknowledges a Ramón y Cajal research fellow of the Spanish MEC. U.M.B.M. acknowledges a grant COFIN-MIUR 2005, 2005027808

Self- and cohort-directed design in research training tutorials for undergraduate researchers: Increasing ownership and relevance to improve learning outcomes

This paper describes and analyses a method of self- and cohort-directed design of research training tutorials for final-year research-oriented undergraduate students at the University of Queensland, Australia. The design methodology centered on a research skills self-assessment document used at the university, and utilized Personal Response System (PRS) technology to gather the cohort's design decisions. This paper examines the pedagogical framework for this instructional approach, analyses feedback on the students' experiences and performances, and outlines future further developments for this program

A divide and conquer strategy for the maximum likelihood localization of low intensity objects

In cell biology and other fields the automatic accurate localization of sub-resolution objects in images is an important tool. The signal is often corrupted by multiple forms of noise, including excess noise resulting from the amplification by an electron multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD). Here we present our novel Nested Maximum Likelihood Algorithm (NMLA), which solves the problem of localizing multiple overlapping emitters in a setting affected by excess noise, by repeatedly solving the task of independent localization for single emitters in an excess noise-free system. NMLA dramatically improves scalability and robustness, when compared to a general purpose optimization technique. Our method was successfully applied for in vivo localization of fluorescent proteins

Classroom Performance Systems, Library Instruction and Instructional Design: A Pilot Study

To explore how effective CPS (Classroom Performance Systems) are in the classroom, specifically for library instruction, this pilot study considered the question: Does the use of CPS improve student retention of information presented in class as measured by pre-and posttest scores? The use of pretest and posttest measurements for the retention of information attempted to assess the impact of instruction using CPS for a single session and the usefulness of CPS for the delivery of instruction, generally. The data collected included the results of a five-item pretest and a six-item posttest, completed by 48 freshmen college students. Although scores improved for both groups after instruction, scores for the group using CPS with instruction showed somewhat greater improvement than the non-CPS group. The author also discusses the role of instructional design in the development of the study and other considerations for future studies

Bibliometric Services in Research Evaluation: A New Task Area Strengthening the Jurisdiction of Academic Librarians

Science policy framed by audit culture relies heavily on performance measurement. This changing research environment affects higher education institutions and their scientific libraries. As service providers for research and teaching libraries need to demonstrate their added-value in front of various stakeholders. Some Library and Information Science (LIS) scholars and practitioners thus promote evaluative bibliometric services as a new service area. The question rises whether this trend to engage in evaluative bibliometrics will consolidate into a recognized professional task area in academic librarianship. Using Abbott’s theoretical framework the paper asks whether academic librarians claim a professional jurisdiction on bibliometric expertise in research support services and assessment. The bibliometric practices of academic librarians in the UK and Germany are studied in a comparative perspective. The collected empirical data consists of 28 expert interviews and different types of documents. This research in progress paper reports on the theoretical framework and demonstrates how it helps to interpret and understand current developments

Assessing the Evaluation of Library Instruction Using a Business Model

The business sector has traditionally evaluated their training and instruction programs on a model that considers 4 levels of success (Kirkpatrick). These levels can be described as success based on 1) appeal, 2) learning outcomes 3) integration of learning into daily work routines, or 4) overall impact on / improvement of the organization. This paper describes how this rubric can be generally, and ideally, translated and applied to instruction programs in libraries to determine what levels of evaluation are attempted by libraries. And, based on a review and analysis of case studies of the literature of library instruction, considers questions including: how frequently do libraries base their evaluation of instruction on student self-reports of the appeal of the instruction and / or how much the student felt they learned (level 1)? How frequently, and by what means, do libraries attempt to measure student learning outcomes (level 2) in order to evaluate the instruction? And, in any sense, are the other two levels of evaluation in the rubric used? The results from academic libraries\u27 evaluation of instruction will also be compared with how businesses evaluate their instruction/training for the four levels

Health technology assessment of treatment for peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a widespread cardiovascular disease that causes pain and reduces the patient’s ability to walk. The first objective of the thesis was to investigate current treatment patterns for PAD by identifying groups of PAD patients with different treatment needs according to their cardiovascular risk and their probability of undergoing invasive PAD treatment. As a result, three groups were identified. The second objective was to measure the quality of life of patients with PAD who receive different kinds of treatment, which showed a positive effect of all treatments, and to measure the costs of these treatments. Data from 245 Dutch PAD patients were used for these analyses. The final objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a new treatment strategy for PAD, rivaroxaban plus aspirin, by comparing the costs and health effects of the new treatment to those of existing treatments, treatment with aspirin or clopidogrel. The results of this analysis showed treatment with rivaroxaban plus aspirin was cost-effective overall but highlighted differences between patient groups

Downwash measurements behind wings with detached float

This investigation, which was made in the small wind tunnel having a diameter of 1.2 m (3.94 feet), embraced three wing models, behind which, at various angles of attack between 0 and 60 degrees, the static pressure and the total pressure along vertical lines (perpendicular to the direction of the undisturbed wind and to the wing span) were measured. The location of these vertical lines are indicated in Figure 1. Moreover, the wing polars were determined by the customary three-component measurements. For testing the pressure field, a Pitot tube and a static probe, both of 2 mm (0.08 in.) in diameter, were mounted 40 mm (1.57 in.) apart on the end of a shaft 1 m (39.37 in.) long